Tesco employs more people than any other private sector firm. It employs more than 360,000 people. Tesco has stores in 12 other countries round the world. It is vital for Tesco have good communication systems in their network of stores and the Regional Distribution Centres.

A new 750,000 sq ft Regional Distribution Centre at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal was to be built.

Due to the size of the building it was essential a good Public Address system was installed. The height of the racking was a major consideration, almost 20m high and running almost the full width of the building. It was important we achieved constant dB levels throughout the storage areas.

We had a number of meetings with the client to determine their requirements and how they wished the system to operate. Our final design for a multi zone public address and background music system for the RDC in Coventry was well received as it provides a user friendly and the flexibility of a good PA system. This should be the basis of every PA system.

With the aid of acoustic design software we were able to offer details on the best type of loudspeaker for the project. It was agreed to use loudspeakers suspended from the roof. This method provided good sound distribution and levels within each isle and provided sufficient height to allow the operation of fork lifts without the possibility of damage to the suspended loudspeakers.

Our system design included almost 200 pendent, 100 ceiling and 50 sound projectors to provide good sound cover and constant dB levels around storage areas and a user friendly and flexible PA system. The project took around 5 – 6 weeks form start to finish.

On the successful completion of the Dirft project we were requested by Tesco to inspect the PA system at the RDC Welham Green. Tesco had reported the system had stopped working completely. Our engineers carried out a temporary repair to provide some PA cover. Our investigations showed the control equipment was no longer serviceable and required an upgrade... The upgrade involved a new control matrix and microphones.

Our proposal was accepted and the work was completed with minimum disruption.